The Philosophy Of Sacrifice

remember this essential value, so they keep refreshing it in their minds, and keep receiving the food of taqwa again and again. When a person spends money to buy an animal for sacrifice, he reminds himself of the truth that this wealth is not his—it belongs to God. When he slaughters the animal, he makes a practical promise to God that, in this way, he is ready to sacrifice himself. When he distributes the meat, he builds the feeling inside that others also have a share in what he earns. The animal’s slaughter is a symbol of the fact that a person should always be ready to reach the highest level of sacrifice for God’s obedience. The sacrifice of the animal is the beginning, and taqwa is the end. The slaughter of the animal is its symbol, and the slaughter of desires and negative emotions is its true spirit. All India Radio, New Delhi, 2 June 1993.